Chlorhexidine in Periodontal Therapy

Chlorhexidine is a broad- spectrum antimicrobial drug acting as an antiseptic with an effective bactericidal activity against all categories of microbes including bacteria yeast and viruses but relatively more active against gram-positive bacteria. Chlorhexidine is safe and has an inherent advantage over antibiotics by not producing resistant microorganisms. As a result chlorhexidine can be used repeatedly and over long periods of time. It is recognized as the gold standard against which other anti-plaque and gingivitis agents are measured. The varied and effective application of chlorhexidine makes it a viable option for use in all dental settings and within a variety of dental procedures and pre-procedures with very few undesirable effects.